Tropical Smoothie Cafe — Restaurant in Virginia

Yesterday at 6:47pm August 23 2024 the store closes at 8 noticed the only one I saw was a (GIRL WITH PINK HAIR) she was on her personal cell phone so we patiently waited until she was done on social media or texting what ever she was doing it seemed more important than customers, but she started to take the order after we waited for her, she took my childs order ask me “is that it?” I said “no I am not finished I have to order something else,” she looked at my other kid…and husband with our baby who was standing at pizza hut and stopped looked at me to then say “sorry maam we arent taking food order. (I think she thought it was about to be a big order and didn’t want to make it because she saw a big family but we were only ordering 3 things 2 food items & a smoothie.) I asked “why can’t you make anything, you don't close till 8 it’s 6:47?” She says… “oh the person that makes food isnt here right now.” Understandable but odd because in the past I’ve had the same thing said about this location at odd times of the day but usually when it’s about to close or when they are on their phones. I ask “mmm is that so because usually everyone is trained to make food and you don’t close till 8. Can I order smoothies instead,” She only said “no they aren’t here to make it,” ok so they can’t make anything at all got it. She didn’t have much to say after that and went back to her cell phone.

My thing is if you don't want to make someone’s food or let alone work and be on your cell phone just say that and go home. There are so many other people who actually want to work but you get folks who just don't want to work at all. Another things is why lie about saying the person who makes stuff isn’t here, well close down early at that point she’s riding the clock. Or change the hours because why stay open when they aren’t...

Might need to consider new management. You're losing money. I watched multiple customers leave after waiting too long in the line to order. Also, watched other customers leave after being told the wait was 40 to 45 minutes. I've been to this store three times giving them the benefit of the doubt that the first two visits might have been bad days. However, the wait is always the same. The employees seem to be visibly stressed and unable to keep up. One person, who appeared to be a manager, even verbally expressed frustration at the phone ringing with call-in orders. Whether it's a shortage of equipment, employees during peak hours, or just inefficiency, I would look into new management if I was the owner or keep losing money. As a customer, if you're looking for somewhere to hang out for 35 to 45 minutes and you enjoy overcrowded wait lines, this is the place for you.

Update: I ate at Jimmy John's in the same food court. It was freaky fast. I ordered, got my food, and ate it while the line at Tropical Smoothie...

I thought I heard my name so I was looking at the lady making the smoothies and she said what’s up and I said I thought I heard my name and she said no that wasn’t me and rolled her eyes and shook her head and walked off to the back. Very unprofessional. Also the girl at the front taking the orders doesn’t look like she wants to me here. I come here often and I thought maybe they were having a bad day but this is every day. I love the smoothies that’s why I keep coming back but anybody can make a smoothie so I think there should be new people hired. Chick-fil-A...